Joint for base and frame elements



1954 R. J. RENHOLTS JOINT FOR BASE AND FRAME ELEMENTS Filed March 20, 1951 INVENTOR.

ROY J. REN B HOLTS ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 19, 1954 JOINT FOR BASE AND FRAME ELEMENTS Roy J. Renholts, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Friden Calculating Machine 00., Inc.. a corporation of California Application March 20, 1951, Serial No. 216,639

Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method for straightening and aligning the side frames of a business machine, 1. e., calculating machines, adding machines, etc.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved means whereby the side frames of a business machine may be straightened and aligned in assembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means to prevent the side frame of a business machine from shifting after assembly.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a side frame secured'to a base.

Fig. 2 is a detailed section taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

In the manufacture of business machines, i. e., calculating machines, adding machines, etc the side frames are first punched or stamped or both. This operation causes some warping of the frames, which result is inevitable whenever a piece of fiat stock is punched or stamped. Following this, mounting studs and shaft journals are riveted to the frames causing more distortion and warping thereof. It was then necessary to place the frames on steel blocks which are absolutely level and to hammer and peen them to restore them to their original form. This operation requires highly skilled labor and is very costly to the manufacturer. The side frames are then secured to the base in a conventional manner and the many parts are assembled thereon.

It has also been my experience that during the assembly of the machine these frames will shift several thousandths of an inch and thus create a bind on a shaft which is journalled in the frame. Even the movement of some members pivoted on the frame may be checked or restrained. This shifting of frames may even take place in shipment, thereby making it necessary for a service man to disassemble the machine and make the necessary corrections.

It will be readily apparent that these correction operations in assembly, after assembly, and after shipment to the consumer can be quite costly.

In my invention the base 20 (Fig. 1) has bosses 2| formed or cast thereon through which one or more spaced-apart holes 22 are drilled to receive bolts or machine screws 23. Machined at right angles to, and diametrically through, the holes 22 are longitudinally extending slots 24 in the tops of the bosses 2i. Heretofore the tops of these bosses were ground smooth and level, one with the others. With no means to hold the side frames secure at the points of contact with these bosses any malformation in the frame would not be corrected. Furthermore, the frame could shift as much as .025 of an inch on one or all bosses. This tolerance was sufficient to restrict movement of those parts pertinent to the frame. The width of the slots 24 provides a close fit or .005 of an inch tolerance with the side frame or upright member 25 and is of a depth of at least onesixteenth (T16) of an inch, but preferably of the order of about one-eighth /8) of an inch. The depth of the slot should be approximately twice the thickness of the side frame for best results. In length the slots 24 are at least equal to the length of the hold-down shoulder of the apertures 26.

A slot 2'! of a predetermined depth is provided in the nuts 28, which slot is machined diametrically through the threaded portion thereof. These slots are of a width to permit the nuts 28 to sit snugly astride the side frame 25 and within the apertures 26 thereof as a separate member or they may be an integral part of the side frame 25.

A side frame, one of the worst I could find, which had not been hand-straightened prior to assembly in a machine, was secured to the ground bosses on a conventional base. This Was tried in an effort to eliminate some of the costly operations of production. I found, however, that after assembly the shafts journalled in the side frame would bind and the movement of the members mounted thereon was restrained.

The same side frame was set into the slots 24 in the bosses or raised portions 2| of the new type of base and was drawn down by the threaded engagement of the machine screws 23 and the slotted nuts 28. This one operation substantially removed the distortion or malformation of the side frame permitting the shafts to run free. Those members mounted on the frame were also permitted to function in a normal manner.

It will be apparent, that one long boss or mounting means substantially the length of the side frame with a slot 24 machined therein could be used in lieu of the individual bosses and the resulting re-alignment of the side frame would be completely satisfactory.

I claim:

1. In a calculating machine having upright members for supporting operating mechanisms, hold-down bolts, and a base comprising two or more bosses, a longitudinally extending slot in each of said bosses to receive said upright memv bers, a bolt receiving means in each of said bosses, apertures in said upright members and each provided with a reduced access for admitting said hold-down bolts, and nuts rigidly inset in said apertures and engaged by said bolts to secure said upright members to said base.

2. In ::a calculating machine fhaving .a side frame, "a hold-down bolt, and a :basecompfising a mounting means for said frame, a longitudinally extending slot in the top of said mounting means adapted to receive said side *frame, ran apertime in said mounting means diametrically intersected by said longitudinal slot for receiving said-holddown bolt, a T-slot in said'side framefor cooperative alignment with said aperture, and a radially slotted nut immovably positionediinrsaid ir-slot and engaging said bolt to secure said .frame to said base.

3. In a business machine having a side frame with two =or more spaced-apart holes formed therein, *a base for supporting sa'i'd s'ide "frame,

:and'means for alignedly securing said side frame id'said'base comprising, two 'er-inore-bosses irite- 'gral 'with said base, a -longitudinally extending slot' in each or said bosses aligned one with the =o'ther for receiving said side frame, hold-down bolts, an aperture in-=ea'ch of said 'bosses to re- 'rceivesaid hold-down-boltsranda-Iemalethreaded "member diametrically *sldtted for inset interlocked engagement with an edge oi each such holeof said side frame and screw connected with 4. The method of straightening a warped side frame having a T-slot therein for cooperative alignment with an aperture in a base member diametrically intercepted by a longitudinally extending slot, comprising, insertion of a nut having a diametral slot into said T-slot, interlocking said nut with said side frame, and placing a. bolt \iintn'saidapertnre to enga said nut thereby urging the-slower saidmut to'embra'ce-an edge of said T-slot and secure said side frame in said :longitudinal slot for corrective adjustment of said .fr-ame.

5. A method of straightening a warped side frame hawing-a hole formed therein comprising insetting a radially channeled nut in said hole, inserting said "side frame in a longitudinal slot 'whichrbiseetsrthe one extremity of an aperture in a base member, and placing a bolt in said apertUretoengage said nut and thereby interlock said nut with said side frame to secure said side frame in rthe slettedzbazseimember.

"References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES "PATENTS Number Name Date 1,136,811 K-asanskwet a1. AprJQO, 1'1915 15389154 *Newhouse Aug/ '30, '1921 21099316 'Kalmbac'h Nov.' 1'6, 1937 2,153,259 Manning kph- 4,1939 2551133308 Itindham July"18, -1950 2}5.1-6';=154 setterholm July 25, 1950 

